L-Acoustics Releases M1 Suite of Measurement and Monitoring Tools
In tandem with the recent release of LA Network Manager 3, L-Acoustics announced it is taking its sound reinforcement system control and monitoring software to a new level with the introduction of the M1 suite, a comprehensive set of measurement and monitoring tools. From data acquisition through system tuning to live monitoring, M1 harnesses the power of the manufacturer’s P1 processor and amplified controller hardware to deliver a streamlined system calibration process as well as real-time performance monitoring.
Soundmatters and BDNC's Super-Shallow High-Excursion Speakers
Mike Klasco (Menlo Scientific) writes about "a very cool" concept from Soundmatters, the company's UPstage speaker design, a new speaker product category and the next trend from the people that invented the soundbar. The sophisticated engineering implemented by soundmatters into the UpStage compact high-performance audio system was also the launch platform for BDNC's high-power, flat glass woofer that uses a 0.2 mm glass diaphragm. This article also explains what manufacturers need to know about the BDNC glass diaphragm, high-excursion, ultra-low profile woofer technology.
Dirac Supplies Digital Audio Technology to BYD Motors' New Han Car Series
Swedish audio DSP pioneer Dirac and Chinese car company BYD Motors, one of the leading automotive companies in the hybrid and fully-electric vehicle space, announced that BYD’s new Han series of vehicles will feature Dirac digital audio technology for a best-in-class in-car listening experience. Dirac will infuse all Han Series Electric Vehicle (EV) and Dual Mode (DM) models with its cutting-edge digital audio technology, to elevate in-car acoustics. A new level of automotive luxury in electric and hybrid cars, including Dirac-branded speaker grills.
TV Manufacturer Skyworth Joins WiSA Association
Momentum continues to build for WiSA LLC, the Wireless Speaker and Audio Association, as a leading wireless, multichannel audio solution for television manufacturers. WiSA is comprised of over 60 leading consumer electronics brands, including already some television manufacturers which have helped turn the wireless audio technology much more appealing for home theater and gaming setups, expanding from stereo to multichannel audio applications. Now WiSA confirmed Skyworth Group Limited as its newest member.
Audio Builders Workshop "Learn to Solder" Kits Now Available at CrowdSupply
The two learn-to-solder kits designed by the Audio Builders Workshop (ABW is an offshoot of the Boston Audio Engineering Society section) are now available for purchase online at CrowdSupply - a crowdfunding organization and website helping creators fund and launch products that people can build themselves and customize at will. CrowdSupply and their parent company, Mouser have been great supporters of ABW, and it was just natural that the entities would team up to offer the kits.
Andover Introduces Spindeck Plug-and-Play Belt-Drive Turntable
Massachusetts-based Andover Audio continues to focus on expanding its portfolio of self-branded products. Following the introduction of the Model One Record Player, an integrated record player, speaker and entertainment system; the Spinbase, a compact, speaker solution for under-turntable placement; and the launch of the PM-50 planar magnetic headphones, the company now announces the Spindeck, an affordable belt-driven turntable, custom designed by Pro-Ject for Andover.
AKM Develops Ultra-Low Power Intelligent System Wakeup ADC With Integrated Acoustic Activity Analyzer
Asahi Kasei Microdevices Corporation (AKM) has developed the AK5706, a high-performance 24-bit stereo A/D converter (ADC) with an integrated Acoustic Activity Analyzer (AAA) wakeup solution consuming only 30μA, audio buffer, and support for digital and high-SNR microphones. Designed for systems that must listen for specific types of audio activity while consuming very low power, the AK5706 is ideal for products such as speech recognition systems, as well as security and smart home devices.
NAD Flagship Masters M33 BluOS Streaming DAC Amplifier Is Now Shipping!
Following a preview at CES 2020, the highly anticipated amplifier of the year 2020 by NAD Electronics - the first company to license Purifi Audio's amplifier technology - is now shipping! NAD M33 is the latest BluOS enabled DAC/amplifier that can serve as the heart of a reference whole-home system. In its simplest form, the M33 ($4999 U.S. MSRP) is an ultra-high-performance streaming amplifier with superb sound. And it can obviously be combined with a BluOS ecosystem of wirelessly networked music players, creating a whole-home audio system.
Avantone Pro Launches Planar Open-Back Reference-Grade Headphones
Avantone Pro introduced Planar, a new high definition, open planar driver design that allows for lower distortion, fast response, and an extended frequency response, going all the way to 30kHz. Avantone says the new design is inherently flat, and tuned in order to deliver more precision and accuracy when monitoring and mixing, which is the aim for the brand's core target audience. But these over-the-ear planar headphones, being lightweight and comfortable, are certain going to appeal to a broader audience, which also uses headphones for long periods of time.
PSB Speakers Partners with Audiodo for Personal Hearing Profiles
PSB Speakers, founded by renowned acoustics designer, Paul Barton, and maker of high fidelity stereo and home theatre speakers, and Audiodo, the personal audio technologies company from Sweden, announced an agreement that will see Audiodo’s Personal Sound algorithms integrated into future yet-to-be-announced headphones from PSB Speakers. This partnership marks the first time Audiodo’s technology will appear in a high fidelity product.